Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership

Online Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership

Learn how to sensitively and effectively interact with children and families as a community health worker or front-line peer support.

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The Online Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership prepares caregivers of young children as front-line peer support and community health workers. The coursework is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of early childhood mental health and family development through various methods of instruction from experienced instructors and national experts.

Students will gain practical experience by integrating coursework content with hands-on experiences, ranging from individual self-care to service delivery, so they are better prepared to support and empower other caregivers and work equitably in the communities they serve. Students will leave this program with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to effectively promote and support early childhood mental health and family resiliency with their peers as community health workers.

  • Ideal for
    Caregivers of young children

  • Duration
    9 months

  • Tuition
    $6,000

  • Format
    Online

  • Schedule
    Thursdays

  • Semester of Entry
    Fall

Upon successful completion of the certificate, you will be able to:

  • Identify certificate program requirements and expectations for completion.
  • Describe the roles of community health workers and peer support.
  • Articulate a foundational knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health and development.
  • Discuss developmental milestones from prenatal to age 8.
  • Explore the broader cultural and community contexts within which early childhood development occurs.
  • Identify strategies for self-care and coping with stress (e.g., breathing exercises, journaling, walking, mindful eating, mindful driving, etc.).
  • Conduct motivational interviews and utilize other verbal/non-verbal communication skills.
  • Identify ways to apply key concepts of racial equity and anti-racist practices in your role as a peer supporter.
  • Identify different types of trauma.
  • Identify and understand strategies to engage and assist families in care coordination.
  • Apply knowledge and skills gained in the course to actual work situations relevant to early childhood mental health and development within relevant settings.

Curriculum & Schedule

During the Fall 2021 semester, professional development and certificate classes will be offered in two formats: Live Online and Online. Live Online classes are taught in real-time by Georgetown instructors using Zoom video conferencing. Online classes are taught using Canvas, our learning management system, and can be completed at your own pace. Both formats are designed to provide our professional learners with a high-quality, engaging educational experience. For more information on which format is best for you, please contact Program Support at pdcprograms@georgetown.edu.

The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership is offered in a Flex Learning environment using live Zoom video conferencing to mirror a more traditional classroom with regular interaction, engaging activities, and the dynamic exploration of topics and concepts.

You must successfully complete the required course for a total of 18 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is equivalent to 180.0 contact hours. The course must be completed within the 9-month time frame.

What Is Live Online Learning?
Live online instruction is enhanced by incorporating various instructional practices and technology tools. Features such as Zoom video conferencing, breakout rooms, and chat allow for real-time interaction and collaboration among learners. Tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Canvas Groups facilitate teamwork and information sharing within the learning community. Polling, surveys, and threaded discussion boards promote active engagement and the expression of opinions. It is important to foster social respect, privacy, and incorporate Jesuit values to create a supportive and inclusive online environment. By utilizing these practices and tools effectively, live online instruction can be engaging, interactive, and conducive to meaningful learning experiences.

Course Schedule

Faculty


Matthew Biel

Matthew Biel, MD, MSc, is Professor, Vice Chair, and Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Biel has clinical interests ...
Read more

Dominique Charlot-Swilley

There is no biography available for Dominique Charlot-Swilley.

How to Apply

Application Dates

Fall Cohort

Application Opens—Jan 1

  • Deadline—Sep 15

The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership is a cohort-based, competitive program with a selective admission process. An application is required to enroll in the program. A completed application will include the following documents:

  • Completed application form
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose

Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.

Degree Requirement

You must hold a high school/general education diploma with lived experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or higher are also encouraged to apply as the educational space is blended with educators, family engagement specialists, social workers, and infrastructure builders from diverse professional settings.

For each cohort, an application review committee offers admission to a diverse group of students to enrich the classroom experience.

Tips for the Online Application

  • Our online application securely stores your information and saves your progress so you can update and complete your information at your convenience
  • Click the “SAVE” button at each stage of the application process to ensure that your work and documents are uploaded

International Students

International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.

A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native speakers of English but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.

Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs, however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.

Tuition & Funding

The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership has received a grant award from the Perigee Fund for the Fall 2021 term. The application is free and applicants are not obligated to pay tuition by applying to the program. Approved applicants will be contacted to discuss scholarship availability.

Funding

Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.

Employer Education and Training Budgets

Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.

If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.

Federal Agency Training Funds*
  • According to the Federal Employees Almanac 2014, federal agencies may:
    • Pay training and education expenses from appropriated funds or other available funds for training needed to support program functions
    • Reimburse employees for all or part of the costs of training or education
    • Share training and education costs with employees
    • Pay travel expenses for employees assigned to training
    • Adjust an employee's normal work schedule for educational purposes not related to official duties

Georgetown accepts Standard Form-182 (SF-182) for training authorizations from the federal government.

*Federal employees should ask the appropriate budget officer about training budgets available.

Georgetown Employee TAP Benefits

Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.

GoArmyEd.com for Active Duty, National Guard,
Army Reserve Soldiers, and Army Civilians

SCS is registered with GoArmyEd.com to accept SF-182 training authorization forms. GoArmyEd.com is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online. GoArmyEd.com is also the virtual gateway for Army Civilians to apply for their Civilian education, training, and leadership development events.

Interest-Free Payment Plan

The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:

  • Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
  • Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.

Military Benefits/GI Bill®

A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.

Private Education Loans

Some students choose to finance certificate programs with private education loans. Students are responsible for contacting lenders directly to find out if a noncredit professional certificate program is eligible for a loan. While Georgetown University will not recommend specific lenders, it will certify loans for eligible programs from approved lenders.

For eligible noncredit professional certificate programs, Georgetown University will certify loan amounts up to the full cost of tuition for the program. Tuition does not cover books, travel, or living expenses. Please see individual program pages for tuition rates.

Georgetown University has a unique campus code for Sallie Mae. Our Sallie Mae branch code is 001445-99.

You must be approved for a loan before registering for courses. Follow these steps to pursue a loan option:

  1. Check the list of lenders that have offered private education loans in the past to Georgetown University students.
  2. Contact the lender and confirm your program is eligible for a private education loan.
  3. Obtain the necessary paperwork and apply for the loan.
  4. Georgetown will certify loan amounts based on the information below. Please note that our branch code is 001445-99.
  5. If approved, register for courses:
    • Payment sent to Georgetown: Select “Third-Party Payment” at the time of registration if the lender is sending funds directly to Georgetown.
    • Enter the information about the lender and then contact Noncredit Student Accounts at noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu.

Note: It is your responsibility to contact Georgetown University Noncredit Student Accounts at noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu to ensure that your loan is processed.

Contact Us

Still Have Questions?

Certificate Admissions and Enrollment
Email: pdcprograms@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7000

Student Accounts
Email: noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7696

Certifying Military Benefits
Email: pdcvabenefits@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 784-7321

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